it's over. fast track has passed by 219-211.
Update: The first half of the Trade bill was blocked. Which has slowed down Fast Track. The other half was passed, meaning the vote was symbolic. Both pieces (Fast Track and TAA, a program that compensates workers for lost jobs being sent overseas that is about to expire in September) have to be passed at the same time as a whole before the president signs it. Without TAA, the Senate can't pass Fast track alone.
House Democratic Leader Pelosi wants to vote to renew the Highway Trust Fund, but she seems to forget that the Medicare cuts provision must be removed from the TAA half of the trade bill and if TAA gets blocked the second time, and if House Democrats refused to go to conference, then the whole trade bill is dead.
Contact your Representatives and vote no on TAA so we can defeat Fast Track.
UPDATE: Boehner and Ryan bribes Democrats with increased tax penalties on small businesses that most Republicans oppose. This will unlikely change most Republican no votes to ayes. And if, say at least 65 of the 84 republicans that voted for TAA is changed to NO, this will only continue to delay for a short time if both House and Senate goes to conference (a conference resolution must be passed in both Houses) and if Senate democrats filibuster a conference resolution, then Fast track is dead, that is unless the Senate could amend a new TAA to half of the trade package that is passed, it would be impossible to stop fast track.
UPDATE 2: We'll I'll see you all in prison as TPP goes into full effect. Obama has reversed his decision and will sign Fast Track without TAA.
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